Life Lessons for Young Leaders

as you get older you get wiser right as you get older you get wiser right well like I hope so and that's what this well like I hope so and that's what this well like I hope so and that's what this video is about believe it or not well I video is about believe it or not well I video is about believe it or not well I do believe it I turned 60 this month and do believe it I turned 60 this month and do believe it I turned 60 this month and on the one hand when you're at this on the one hand when you're at this on the one hand when you're at this stage of life that seems impossible to stage of life that seems impossible to stage of life that seems impossible to believe but on the other hand you know believe but on the other hand you know believe but on the other hand you know of course I'm 60 right as the old song of course I'm 60 right as the old song of course I'm 60 right as the old song goes every time I look in the mirror all goes every time I look in the mirror all goes every time I look in the mirror all the lines in my face growing clear the the lines in my face growing clear the the lines in my face growing clear the decades really do fly by and so I want decades really do fly by and so I want decades really do fly by and so I want to offer 10 Reflections 10 life lessons to offer 10 Reflections 10 life lessons to offer 10 Reflections 10 life lessons if you will I think my younger self if you will I think my younger self if you will I think my younger self would want to know and perhaps you as would want to know and perhaps you as would want to know and perhaps you as someone with a number of fewer decades someone with a number of fewer decades someone with a number of fewer decades under your belt can learn from to before under your belt can learn from to before under your belt can learn from to before we dive in I just want to acknowledge we dive in I just want to acknowledge we dive in I just want to acknowledge and give a hat tip to Gordon McDonald and give a hat tip to Gordon McDonald and give a hat tip to Gordon McDonald who is now in his mid 80s who on my who is now in his mid 80s who on my who is now in his mid 80s who on my podcast a few years ago shortly after he podcast a few years ago shortly after he podcast a few years ago shortly after he turned 80 gave a piece called the view turned 80 gave a piece called the view turned 80 gave a piece called the view from 80 and it was so inspiring I've had from 80 and it was so inspiring I've had from 80 and it was so inspiring I've had so many people tell me that they were so so many people tell me that they were so so many people tell me that they were so moved by that conversation they were moved by that conversation they were moved by that conversation they were moved to tears and I will link to the moved to tears and I will link to the moved to tears and I will link to the video in the descript description for video in the descript description for video in the descript description for you you can watch it simply by clicking you you can watch it simply by clicking you you can watch it simply by clicking the link but with that said here is uh the link but with that said here is uh the link but with that said here is uh my attempt at 10 life lessons I've my attempt at 10 life lessons I've my attempt at 10 life lessons I've learned six decades [Music] [Music] in lesson number one success dies but in lesson number one success dies but in lesson number one success dies but character character character lives here's what haunts me your kids lives here's what haunts me your kids lives here's what haunts me your kids are never going to pull out your are never going to pull out your are never going to pull out your subscriber count at your funeral all subscriber count at your funeral all subscriber count at your funeral all right they're not going to replay your right they're not going to replay your right they're not going to replay your best podcast episode episodes or mention best podcast episode episodes or mention best podcast episode episodes or mention that killer presentation you did you

that killer presentation you did you that killer presentation you did you know what they're going to talk about know what they're going to talk about know what they're going to talk about they're going to talk about who you were they're going to talk about who you were they're going to talk about who you were how you love them whether you were how you love them whether you were how you love them whether you were actually there for them or not you see actually there for them or not you see actually there for them or not you see and what that is is that's character and and what that is is that's character and and what that is is that's character and character isn't just important character isn't just important character isn't just important increasingly I think it's pretty much increasingly I think it's pretty much increasingly I think it's pretty much everything you know knowledge you can everything you know knowledge you can everything you know knowledge you can know a lot you can be smart but the know a lot you can be smart but the know a lot you can be smart but the Bible says knowledge puffs up and Bible says knowledge puffs up and Bible says knowledge puffs up and achievements definitely fade but achievements definitely fade but achievements definitely fade but character lasts it's what people character lasts it's what people character lasts it's what people remember about you right so maybe you're remember about you right so maybe you're remember about you right so maybe you're chasing a promotion well I promise you chasing a promotion well I promise you chasing a promotion well I promise you the glow of that promotion Fades before the glow of that promotion Fades before the glow of that promotion Fades before you've told the last friend that you got you've told the last friend that you got you've told the last friend that you got it okay the platform you built well it okay the platform you built well it okay the platform you built well guess what somebody else's is going to guess what somebody else's is going to guess what somebody else's is going to be bigger next year and you're going to be bigger next year and you're going to be bigger next year and you're going to be behind honestly I mean when they talk be behind honestly I mean when they talk be behind honestly I mean when they talk about the honic treadmill it's a very about the honic treadmill it's a very about the honic treadmill it's a very real thing you just return to your base real thing you just return to your base real thing you just return to your base level of Happiness when you reach a new level of Happiness when you reach a new level of Happiness when you reach a new accomplishment or have more money in the accomplishment or have more money in the accomplishment or have more money in the bank or whatever but character bank or whatever but character bank or whatever but character like the slow work of becoming more like like the slow work of becoming more like like the slow work of becoming more like Jesus that's what really transforms your Jesus that's what really transforms your Jesus that's what really transforms your legacy you know strangers on social legacy you know strangers on social legacy you know strangers on social media may love you but if your kids media may love you but if your kids media may love you but if your kids don't you're winning at the wrong game don't you're winning at the wrong game don't you're winning at the wrong game and if you're crushing it online but and if you're crushing it online but and if you're crushing it online but your spouse feels alone or criticized your spouse feels alone or criticized your spouse feels alone or criticized something's broken sanctification isn't something's broken sanctification isn't something's broken sanctification isn't just like this esoteric theological just like this esoteric theological just like this esoteric theological construct it's actually God chiseling construct it's actually God chiseling construct it's actually God chiseling away at who you are he's chiseling away away at who you are he's chiseling away away at who you are he's chiseling away at who I am at who I am at who I am and you know does he care about what I and you know does he care about what I and you know does he care about what I do sure but he's way more concerned

do sure but he's way more concerned do sure but he's way more concerned about who I am and without character about who I am and without character about who I am and without character what do you have left right well what do you have left right well what do you have left right well honestly just a pile of stuff heading to honestly just a pile of stuff heading to honestly just a pile of stuff heading to Goodwill and achievements nobody cared Goodwill and achievements nobody cared Goodwill and achievements nobody cared about as much as you do okay number two about as much as you do okay number two about as much as you do okay number two give the people closest to you your best give the people closest to you your best give the people closest to you your best not your leftovers so here's the danger not your leftovers so here's the danger not your leftovers so here's the danger right the people that you love the most right the people that you love the most right the people that you love the most your family your spouse your kids your your family your spouse your kids your your family your spouse your kids your best friends your team they are the ones best friends your team they are the ones best friends your team they are the ones that you are most likely to cheat and that you are most likely to cheat and that you are most likely to cheat and here's how you cheat them you skip here's how you cheat them you skip here's how you cheat them you skip dinner with the family because you know dinner with the family because you know dinner with the family because you know what they'll understand and you're busy what they'll understand and you're busy what they'll understand and you're busy or you work through a vacation you bring or you work through a vacation you bring or you work through a vacation you bring your laptop to the hotel or even to the your laptop to the hotel or even to the your laptop to the hotel or even to the beach because you've got important beach because you've got important beach because you've got important things to do right after all you're a things to do right after all you're a things to do right after all you're a big deal you know I fell into this trap big deal you know I fell into this trap big deal you know I fell into this trap as a young leader and it merely as a young leader and it merely as a young leader and it merely destroyed my family and it destroyed me destroyed my family and it destroyed me destroyed my family and it destroyed me and here's what nobody tells you about and here's what nobody tells you about and here's what nobody tells you about at 80 if you're lucky to get there all at 80 if you're lucky to get there all at 80 if you're lucky to get there all you have left is family and a few close you have left is family and a few close you have left is family and a few close friends you know all those important friends you know all those important friends you know all those important work relationships well they pretty much work relationships well they pretty much work relationships well they pretty much vanish the moment you leave your role if vanish the moment you leave your role if vanish the moment you leave your role if you talk to any retired CEO I challenge you talk to any retired CEO I challenge you talk to any retired CEO I challenge you to do this and ask them you know how you to do this and ask them you know how you to do this and ask them you know how many people are contacting you these many people are contacting you these many people are contacting you these days a lot of them will tell you their days a lot of them will tell you their days a lot of them will tell you their phone's gone dead it's just silent you phone's gone dead it's just silent you phone's gone dead it's just silent you know Arthur Brooks talks about that and know Arthur Brooks talks about that and know Arthur Brooks talks about that and he says there's a big difference between he says there's a big difference between he says there's a big difference between real friends and deal friends deal real friends and deal friends deal real friends and deal friends deal friends stick around for what you can do friends stick around for what you can do friends stick around for what you can do for them hey I want to be on your for them hey I want to be on your for them hey I want to be on your podcast Carrie hey I want you to speak podcast Carrie hey I want you to speak podcast Carrie hey I want you to speak at my conference right real friends

at my conference right real friends at my conference right real friends Arthur Brooks says are useless but not Arthur Brooks says are useless but not Arthur Brooks says are useless but not worthless they're useless in the sense worthless they're useless in the sense worthless they're useless in the sense that they're not going to advance your that they're not going to advance your that they're not going to advance your career but they're invaluable because career but they're invaluable because career but they're invaluable because they're the ones who actually care about they're the ones who actually care about they're the ones who actually care about you you as a human being those are the you you as a human being those are the you you as a human being those are the people who are going to be at your people who are going to be at your people who are going to be at your funeral your colleagues they're not funeral your colleagues they're not funeral your colleagues they're not going to be there your friends they're going to be there your friends they're going to be there your friends they're going to be there that's why I made this going to be there that's why I made this going to be there that's why I made this decision made this probably 15 years ago decision made this probably 15 years ago decision made this probably 15 years ago I want the people closest to me to have I want the people closest to me to have I want the people closest to me to have the best experience of me not you know the best experience of me not you know the best experience of me not you know some random follower on YouTube who some random follower on YouTube who some random follower on YouTube who thinks I'm amazing I want my wife to thinks I'm amazing I want my wife to thinks I'm amazing I want my wife to have a better experience of me than have a better experience of me than have a better experience of me than anybody who follows me online so you anybody who follows me online so you anybody who follows me online so you know that's what you have to ask know that's what you have to ask know that's what you have to ask yourself are your closest yourself are your closest yourself are your closest relationships getting your best like the relationships getting your best like the relationships getting your best like the best of you or are they getting your best of you or are they getting your best of you or are they getting your leftovers third principle understand leftovers third principle understand leftovers third principle understand that everything compounds literally that everything compounds literally that everything compounds literally everything okay so life gets better or everything okay so life gets better or everything okay so life gets better or life gets worse in direct proportion to life gets worse in direct proportion to life gets worse in direct proportion to the decisions that you make in your 20s the decisions that you make in your 20s the decisions that you make in your 20s 30s and 40s so when I turned 50 a decade 30s and 40s so when I turned 50 a decade 30s and 40s so when I turned 50 a decade ago I had a friend of mine we were ago I had a friend of mine we were ago I had a friend of mine we were talking on the phone and he just said talking on the phone and he just said talking on the phone and he just said you know what your 50s are going to be you know what your 50s are going to be you know what your 50s are going to be incredible they're going to be fantastic incredible they're going to be fantastic incredible they're going to be fantastic and I pushed back and I said buddy you and I pushed back and I said buddy you and I pushed back and I said buddy you know I will give you his name but I said know I will give you his name but I said know I will give you his name but I said you're not a prophet like how do you you're not a prophet like how do you you're not a prophet like how do you know what my 50s are going to be like know what my 50s are going to be like know what my 50s are going to be like they could be disastrous and I remember they could be disastrous and I remember they could be disastrous and I remember his response for this day he says I've his response for this day he says I've his response for this day he says I've seen this pattern hundreds of times and seen this pattern hundreds of times and seen this pattern hundreds of times and he had a few years on he said you did he had a few years on he said you did he had a few years on he said you did Carrie you did the hard work in your 30s

Carrie you did the hard work in your 30s Carrie you did the hard work in your 30s and 40s now you're going to reap the and 40s now you're going to reap the and 40s now you're going to reap the benefits you know what turns out he was benefits you know what turns out he was benefits you know what turns out he was right maybe he is a prophet okay my 50s right maybe he is a prophet okay my 50s right maybe he is a prophet okay my 50s have been my best decade hands down and have been my best decade hands down and have been my best decade hands down and I just wish I knew what I know now when I just wish I knew what I know now when I just wish I knew what I know now when my kids were younger so that you know my my kids were younger so that you know my my kids were younger so that you know my 30s could have been better but here's 30s could have been better but here's 30s could have been better but here's the lesson everything compounds okay the lesson everything compounds okay the lesson everything compounds okay those small compromises with Integrity those small compromises with Integrity those small compromises with Integrity the flirt when nobody's looking they the flirt when nobody's looking they the flirt when nobody's looking they become character implosion left become character implosion left become character implosion left unattended you know the debt you're unattended you know the debt you're unattended you know the debt you're ignoring that credit card debt or that ignoring that credit card debt or that ignoring that credit card debt or that student debt or Consumer Debt it becomes student debt or Consumer Debt it becomes student debt or Consumer Debt it becomes a financial prison the older you get a financial prison the older you get a financial prison the older you get because even interest compounds against because even interest compounds against because even interest compounds against you or for you the marriage tensions you or for you the marriage tensions you or for you the marriage tensions that you're kind of like just putting a that you're kind of like just putting a that you're kind of like just putting a lid on barely on a Boiling Pot they lid on barely on a Boiling Pot they lid on barely on a Boiling Pot they become divorce papers or you end up become divorce papers or you end up become divorce papers or you end up staring into this icy space that you've staring into this icy space that you've staring into this icy space that you've seen way too many elderly people Embrace seen way too many elderly people Embrace seen way too many elderly people Embrace where they're there for breakfast and where they're there for breakfast and where they're there for breakfast and they don't even talk to each other they don't even talk to each other they don't even talk to each other they're ignoring each other all right they're ignoring each other all right they're ignoring each other all right but the opposite is also true every time but the opposite is also true every time but the opposite is also true every time you choose character over compromise you choose character over compromise you choose character over compromise health over Comfort because it's just health over Comfort because it's just health over Comfort because it's just comfortable not to be healthy or comfortable not to be healthy or comfortable not to be healthy or relationships over success it compounds relationships over success it compounds relationships over success it compounds every single time so make your choices every single time so make your choices every single time so make your choices now right small changes in your 20s or now right small changes in your 20s or now right small changes in your 20s or 30s become huge results in your 50s and 30s become huge results in your 50s and 30s become huge results in your 50s and 60s fourth principle avoid magical 60s fourth principle avoid magical 60s fourth principle avoid magical thinking your past is the best predictor

thinking your past is the best predictor thinking your past is the best predictor of your future so you know what's of your future so you know what's of your future so you know what's seductive and i' I've been guilty of of seductive and i' I've been guilty of of seductive and i' I've been guilty of of this too right thinking tomorrow is this too right thinking tomorrow is this too right thinking tomorrow is going to be magically somehow different going to be magically somehow different going to be magically somehow different when you do nothing about it today right when you do nothing about it today right when you do nothing about it today right I see this all the time leaders who I see this all the time leaders who I see this all the time leaders who think you know I'm going to wake up think you know I'm going to wake up think you know I'm going to wake up magically more disciplined tomorrow or magically more disciplined tomorrow or magically more disciplined tomorrow or more present with my family it's just more present with my family it's just more present with my family it's just going to happen or somehow I'll I'll going to happen or somehow I'll I'll going to happen or somehow I'll I'll give more financially stable like we'll give more financially stable like we'll give more financially stable like we'll figure that out down the road right as figure that out down the road right as figure that out down the road right as though somehow their marriage will be though somehow their marriage will be though somehow their marriage will be transformed while they sleep or that God transformed while they sleep or that God transformed while they sleep or that God is just going to intervene uh without is just going to intervene uh without is just going to intervene uh without them taking any responsibility uh but them taking any responsibility uh but them taking any responsibility uh but life for the most part doesn't work that life for the most part doesn't work that life for the most part doesn't work that way right your future isn't created by way right your future isn't created by way right your future isn't created by wishing it's cultivated by habits so wishing it's cultivated by habits so wishing it's cultivated by habits so what is your life going to look like in what is your life going to look like in what is your life going to look like in 5 years the answer is look at your life 5 years the answer is look at your life 5 years the answer is look at your life now look at your calendar look at your now look at your calendar look at your now look at your calendar look at your experience look at your bank state ments experience look at your bank state ments experience look at your bank state ments from the last 6 months that's your from the last 6 months that's your from the last 6 months that's your actual trajectory your marriage in a actual trajectory your marriage in a actual trajectory your marriage in a decade is being shaped by the decade is being shaped by the decade is being shaped by the conversations you're avoiding right now conversations you're avoiding right now conversations you're avoiding right now and your legacy is being written in the and your legacy is being written in the and your legacy is being written in the small decisions you're making this week small decisions you're making this week small decisions you're making this week and your waistline and health in 5 years and your waistline and health in 5 years and your waistline and health in 5 years it's determined by what you're eating it's determined by what you're eating it's determined by what you're eating for lunch today and whether you're for lunch today and whether you're for lunch today and whether you're getting a workout in before dinner all getting a workout in before dinner all getting a workout in before dinner all right so if you're waiting for Magical right so if you're waiting for Magical right so if you're waiting for Magical intervention you're going to wait intervention you're going to wait intervention you're going to wait forever fifth thing I see from 60 wisdom forever fifth thing I see from 60 wisdom forever fifth thing I see from 60 wisdom is a better but less popular teacher is a better but less popular teacher is a better but less popular teacher than pain so pain is an expensive than pain so pain is an expensive than pain so pain is an expensive teacher but at least you're never going teacher but at least you're never going teacher but at least you're never going to forget the lesson I've learned a lot

to forget the lesson I've learned a lot to forget the lesson I've learned a lot from pain all right there are words I've from pain all right there are words I've from pain all right there are words I've spoken I can never take back there are spoken I can never take back there are spoken I can never take back there are decisions that haunt me to this day decisions that haunt me to this day decisions that haunt me to this day there are relationships that I ruined there are relationships that I ruined there are relationships that I ruined thinking that I was right so pain has thinking that I was right so pain has thinking that I was right so pain has taught me a lot but here's the truth taught me a lot but here's the truth taught me a lot but here's the truth wisdom is offering you and me the exact wisdom is offering you and me the exact wisdom is offering you and me the exact same lessons minus the pain minus the same lessons minus the pain minus the same lessons minus the pain minus the scar so for over 25 years I've read the scar so for over 25 years I've read the scar so for over 25 years I've read the Bible in a year and what strikes me as I Bible in a year and what strikes me as I Bible in a year and what strikes me as I go through the Book of Proverbs every go through the Book of Proverbs every go through the Book of Proverbs every year for a quarter century is a full year for a quarter century is a full year for a quarter century is a full third of the book the first third is third of the book the first third is third of the book the first third is basically Solomon begging us to choose basically Solomon begging us to choose basically Solomon begging us to choose wisdom before pain forces our hand right wisdom before pain forces our hand right wisdom before pain forces our hand right he said don't have an affair don't have he said don't have an affair don't have he said don't have an affair don't have an affair don't do it don't do it you're an affair don't do it don't do it you're an affair don't do it don't do it you're going to regret it it's so many people going to regret it it's so many people going to regret it it's so many people go out and have an affair don't do this go out and have an affair don't do this go out and have an affair don't do this you're going to regret it uh so wisdom you're going to regret it uh so wisdom you're going to regret it uh so wisdom is calling us ahead of time it's almost is calling us ahead of time it's almost is calling us ahead of time it's almost like he's watching a train wreck in slow like he's watching a train wreck in slow like he's watching a train wreck in slow motion motion motion pleading with us to change tracks but pleading with us to change tracks but pleading with us to change tracks but but a lot of people don't listen because but a lot of people don't listen because but a lot of people don't listen because we just make a mistake and then pain we just make a mistake and then pain we just make a mistake and then pain becomes our teacher um so what you're becomes our teacher um so what you're becomes our teacher um so what you're going to do and what I do naturally is going to do and what I do naturally is going to do and what I do naturally is default to learning things the hard way default to learning things the hard way default to learning things the hard way we kind of Nod at wisdom going yeah we kind of Nod at wisdom going yeah we kind of Nod at wisdom going yeah thank you and then dive head first into thank you and then dive head first into thank you and then dive head first into disaster right so here's the irony and disaster right so here's the irony and disaster right so here's the irony and this is why I am committed to learning this is why I am committed to learning this is why I am committed to learning from wisdom not just pain pain is from wisdom not just pain pain is from wisdom not just pain pain is expensive wisdom is free and here's the expensive wisdom is free and here's the expensive wisdom is free and here's the kicker all right this is kind of fun kicker all right this is kind of fun kicker all right this is kind of fun there's never a lineup for wisdom never there's never a lineup for wisdom never there's never a lineup for wisdom never a line all right pay's got a long line a line all right pay's got a long line a line all right pay's got a long line of people waiting for the next lesson so

of people waiting for the next lesson so of people waiting for the next lesson so you can save yourself some time and you can save yourself some time and you can save yourself some time and potential catastrophe choose wisdom as potential catastrophe choose wisdom as potential catastrophe choose wisdom as your teacher it's available right now your teacher it's available right now your teacher it's available right now the sixth thing I see at 60 is to seize the sixth thing I see at 60 is to seize the sixth thing I see at 60 is to seize your internal locus of control so your internal locus of control so your internal locus of control so they're basically two kinds of people they're basically two kinds of people they're basically two kinds of people people who blame everything and everyone people who blame everything and everyone people who blame everything and everyone for their Misfortune right I was late for their Misfortune right I was late for their Misfortune right I was late cuz traffic was bad the weather was bad cuz traffic was bad the weather was bad cuz traffic was bad the weather was bad right team issues not my fault clearly right team issues not my fault clearly right team issues not my fault clearly their fault marriage tension while she their fault marriage tension while she their fault marriage tension while she just doesn't understand me at all she just doesn't understand me at all she just doesn't understand me at all she doesn't understand uh what I need right doesn't understand uh what I need right doesn't understand uh what I need right so I struggled with a lot of this stuff so I struggled with a lot of this stuff so I struggled with a lot of this stuff until I discovered what experts call an until I discovered what experts call an until I discovered what experts call an internal locus of control and that is internal locus of control and that is internal locus of control and that is the idea that I have agency High agency the idea that I have agency High agency the idea that I have agency High agency that regardless of the circumstances I that regardless of the circumstances I that regardless of the circumstances I can choose my response and I've got some can choose my response and I've got some can choose my response and I've got some even microscopic control over the even microscopic control over the even microscopic control over the outcome even if it was really terrible outcome even if it was really terrible outcome even if it was really terrible weather or really this person's offline weather or really this person's offline weather or really this person's offline I have got some agency and when I I have got some agency and when I I have got some agency and when I embrace the seven words as far as it embrace the seven words as far as it embrace the seven words as far as it depends on me suddenly I wasn't waiting depends on me suddenly I wasn't waiting depends on me suddenly I wasn't waiting for the World to Change all right it for the World to Change all right it for the World to Change all right it started to change my world so instead of started to change my world so instead of started to change my world so instead of asking you know why is this happening to asking you know why is this happening to asking you know why is this happening to me ask what can I do about this like me ask what can I do about this like me ask what can I do about this like what does this make possible instead of what does this make possible instead of what does this make possible instead of waiting for perfect conditions maybe waiting for perfect conditions maybe waiting for perfect conditions maybe create some better conditions you're not create some better conditions you're not create some better conditions you're not going to be able to control everything going to be able to control everything going to be able to control everything but you'll stop being a victim of your but you'll stop being a victim of your but you'll stop being a victim of your circumstances and start making progress circumstances and start making progress circumstances and start making progress the seven thing I'm seeing at 60 is

the seven thing I'm seeing at 60 is the seven thing I'm seeing at 60 is examine your motives this one's huge for examine your motives this one's huge for examine your motives this one's huge for me been spending a lot of time on this me been spending a lot of time on this me been spending a lot of time on this in the last decade and no matter how in the last decade and no matter how in the last decade and no matter how hard you try your motives are always hard you try your motives are always hard you try your motives are always going to be mixed right even as I'm going to be mixed right even as I'm going to be mixed right even as I'm recording this video right now hoping to recording this video right now hoping to recording this video right now hoping to help other people uh I feel a familiar help other people uh I feel a familiar help other people uh I feel a familiar tug I want you to watch it I want you to tug I want you to watch it I want you to tug I want you to watch it I want you to share it I want the views to go up right share it I want the views to go up right share it I want the views to go up right I want it to go viral let's be honest so I want it to go viral let's be honest so I want it to go viral let's be honest so I have fought with selfish ambition for I have fought with selfish ambition for I have fought with selfish ambition for years and while it's a little bit years and while it's a little bit years and while it's a little bit quieter now it still shows up unveiled quieter now it still shows up unveiled quieter now it still shows up unveiled and I think it's a tug of-war right so and I think it's a tug of-war right so and I think it's a tug of-war right so here's here's what I'm concluding I mean here's here's what I'm concluding I mean here's here's what I'm concluding I mean check with me in a decade or two you may check with me in a decade or two you may check with me in a decade or two you may never fully get rid of mixed motives never fully get rid of mixed motives never fully get rid of mixed motives right we live on this side of heaven but right we live on this side of heaven but right we live on this side of heaven but if you see them clearly you can deal if you see them clearly you can deal if you see them clearly you can deal with them so get honest about what's with them so get honest about what's with them so get honest about what's really driving you and then surrender really driving you and then surrender really driving you and then surrender the drive again and again to God why the drive again and again to God why the drive again and again to God why does this matter and here here's what does this matter and here here's what does this matter and here here's what I'm convinced unexamined motives drive I'm convinced unexamined motives drive I'm convinced unexamined motives drive you until they destroy you so if you you until they destroy you so if you you until they destroy you so if you don't know what is motivating you you're don't know what is motivating you you're don't know what is motivating you you're going to get so tripped up on growing going to get so tripped up on growing going to get so tripped up on growing your YouTube channel getting big on your YouTube channel getting big on your YouTube channel getting big on social media growing your church social media growing your church social media growing your church whatever you Happ to be doing you're whatever you Happ to be doing you're whatever you Happ to be doing you're going to be so caught up in it and you going to be so caught up in it and you going to be so caught up in it and you don't even know why like what is driving don't even know why like what is driving don't even know why like what is driving that what is underneath that right you that what is underneath that right you that what is underneath that right you got to go there sure you know you can got to go there sure you know you can got to go there sure you know you can end up with a story of redemption yes I end up with a story of redemption yes I end up with a story of redemption yes I was terribly selfish and motivated and was terribly selfish and motivated and was terribly selfish and motivated and everything but why do you need a story everything but why do you need a story everything but why do you need a story of redemption right why drift into the

of redemption right why drift into the of redemption right why drift into the conditions that create something conditions that create something conditions that create something terrible that is in need of repair so terrible that is in need of repair so terrible that is in need of repair so don't do that just look at your motives don't do that just look at your motives don't do that just look at your motives and when you see selfishness and when you see selfishness and when you see selfishness stop and say okay I I got to acknowledge stop and say okay I I got to acknowledge stop and say okay I I got to acknowledge that I got to surrender that I got to that I got to surrender that I got to that I got to surrender that I got to yield that that's what I'm trying to do yield that that's what I'm trying to do yield that that's what I'm trying to do on a daily basis the eighth thing that on a daily basis the eighth thing that on a daily basis the eighth thing that really excites me uh from the view at 60 really excites me uh from the view at 60 really excites me uh from the view at 60 is to work toward Mastery so think about is to work toward Mastery so think about is to work toward Mastery so think about it if you're in your 20s you're probably it if you're in your 20s you're probably it if you're in your 20s you're probably uh generalist right you do what you're uh generalist right you do what you're uh generalist right you do what you're assigned to do you're in a company assigned to do you're in a company assigned to do you're in a company they're like go get coffee you're like they're like go get coffee you're like they're like go get coffee you're like yep uh and it's a good thing to say yes yep uh and it's a good thing to say yes yep uh and it's a good thing to say yes to a lot of things in your 20s but when to a lot of things in your 20s but when to a lot of things in your 20s but when you move through your 30s and your 40s you move through your 30s and your 40s you move through your 30s and your 40s something interesting happens it refines something interesting happens it refines something interesting happens it refines and narrows your passion refines and and narrows your passion refines and and narrows your passion refines and narrows your skill set and helps you narrows your skill set and helps you narrows your skill set and helps you hopefully zero grow in on what you're hopefully zero grow in on what you're hopefully zero grow in on what you're truly gifted at so as I head into a truly gifted at so as I head into a truly gifted at so as I head into a fresh decade in my' 60s I see this as a fresh decade in my' 60s I see this as a fresh decade in my' 60s I see this as a chance to pursue real Mastery to get as chance to pursue real Mastery to get as chance to pursue real Mastery to get as good as I possibly can at just one or good as I possibly can at just one or good as I possibly can at just one or two things so think about a samurai two things so think about a samurai two things so think about a samurai swordsmith right takes a lifetime to swordsmith right takes a lifetime to swordsmith right takes a lifetime to perfect that craft that's what I want perfect that craft that's what I want perfect that craft that's what I want the chance to achieve Mastery in one or the chance to achieve Mastery in one or the chance to achieve Mastery in one or two areas of my field so if you're two areas of my field so if you're two areas of my field so if you're wondering what is that I want to be an wondering what is that I want to be an wondering what is that I want to be an excellent interviewer I want to be the excellent interviewer I want to be the excellent interviewer I want to be the best I can Poss possibly be and I want best I can Poss possibly be and I want best I can Poss possibly be and I want to write and think well so what do you to write and think well so what do you to write and think well so what do you do well as you age narrow your focus do well as you age narrow your focus do well as you age narrow your focus okay get really good Zone in on a couple okay get really good Zone in on a couple okay get really good Zone in on a couple of things and when you found those

of things and when you found those of things and when you found those things step on the accelerator learn and things step on the accelerator learn and things step on the accelerator learn and hone as much as you can your 10,000 hone as much as you can your 10,000 hone as much as you can your 10,000 hours are accumulating and what you want hours are accumulating and what you want hours are accumulating and what you want to do is you want to direct them and you to do is you want to direct them and you to do is you want to direct them and you want to get better faster and work want to get better faster and work want to get better faster and work toward Mastery okay ninth thing you want toward Mastery okay ninth thing you want toward Mastery okay ninth thing you want to advance don't Cruise or Retreat so to advance don't Cruise or Retreat so to advance don't Cruise or Retreat so you know I've been through my 50s now you know I've been through my 50s now you know I've been through my 50s now and I've seen some friends over the and I've seen some friends over the and I've seen some friends over the years unchecking boxes of things they years unchecking boxes of things they years unchecking boxes of things they used to do that they no longer do now I used to do that they no longer do now I used to do that they no longer do now I get it okay everybody's health is get it okay everybody's health is get it okay everybody's health is different as you get older desires different as you get older desires different as you get older desires change with time but what if you see the change with time but what if you see the change with time but what if you see the season of life you're in whether that's season of life you're in whether that's season of life you're in whether that's your 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s or Beyond as a your 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s or Beyond as a your 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s or Beyond as a chance to discover and try new things chance to discover and try new things chance to discover and try new things right like curiosity and newness I think right like curiosity and newness I think right like curiosity and newness I think make you better as you age so I've never make you better as you age so I've never make you better as you age so I've never been particularly athletic I had a lot been particularly athletic I had a lot been particularly athletic I had a lot of asthma as a kid Etc but I've gotten of asthma as a kid Etc but I've gotten of asthma as a kid Etc but I've gotten better over the years and at 55 I took better over the years and at 55 I took better over the years and at 55 I took up downhill skiing again largely because up downhill skiing again largely because up downhill skiing again largely because my wife never gave up skiing but her my wife never gave up skiing but her my wife never gave up skiing but her friend she had nobody left to ski with friend she had nobody left to ski with friend she had nobody left to ski with everyone's like yeah I'm not doing that everyone's like yeah I'm not doing that everyone's like yeah I'm not doing that anymore so she wanted a friend to ski anymore so she wanted a friend to ski anymore so she wanted a friend to ski with and I thought well that'll be good with and I thought well that'll be good with and I thought well that'll be good for our marriage good for us so I picked for our marriage good for us so I picked for our marriage good for us so I picked it up again for the first time since my it up again for the first time since my it up again for the first time since my kids were little so I picked that up at kids were little so I picked that up at kids were little so I picked that up at 55 at 55 at 55 at 58 I skied the Rockies for the first 58 I skied the Rockies for the first 58 I skied the Rockies for the first time in decades and at the local ski time in decades and at the local ski time in decades and at the local ski hills now I'm doing black diamonds all hills now I'm doing black diamonds all hills now I'm doing black diamonds all the time so I got better at something the time so I got better at something the time so I got better at something right I got curious and I learned a new right I got curious and I learned a new right I got curious and I learned a new hobby I picked up some other things over hobby I picked up some other things over hobby I picked up some other things over the last few years from weightlifting to

the last few years from weightlifting to the last few years from weightlifting to snorkeling like I'm a beginner at snorkeling like I'm a beginner at snorkeling like I'm a beginner at snorkeling I know that sounds like wait snorkeling I know that sounds like wait snorkeling I know that sounds like wait four-year-old snorkel yeah but we're four-year-old snorkel yeah but we're four-year-old snorkel yeah but we're going to take a snorkeling vacation and going to take a snorkeling vacation and going to take a snorkeling vacation and we're going to really explore things I we're going to really explore things I we're going to really explore things I think it's going to be great uh I've think it's going to be great uh I've think it's going to be great uh I've gotten really good at smoking meat over gotten really good at smoking meat over gotten really good at smoking meat over the last decade my wife got me a Big the last decade my wife got me a Big the last decade my wife got me a Big Green Egg for my 50th I really really Green Egg for my 50th I really really Green Egg for my 50th I really really enjoy making brisket for friends I love enjoy making brisket for friends I love enjoy making brisket for friends I love experimenting with AI I'm learning to experimenting with AI I'm learning to experimenting with AI I'm learning to become more financially literate yep new become more financially literate yep new become more financially literate yep new skills at this stage learning how to skills at this stage learning how to skills at this stage learning how to sharpen kitchen knives I just hate dull sharpen kitchen knives I just hate dull sharpen kitchen knives I just hate dull kitchen knives uh so I've gotten really kitchen knives uh so I've gotten really kitchen knives uh so I've gotten really good at like sharpening knives don't good at like sharpening knives don't good at like sharpening knives don't read anything into that and Brewing read anything into that and Brewing read anything into that and Brewing First Rate home coffee never did that First Rate home coffee never did that First Rate home coffee never did that until last year and I'm learning until last year and I'm learning until last year and I'm learning calligraphy okay so as you get older calligraphy okay so as you get older calligraphy okay so as you get older you're going to drop things you no you're going to drop things you no you're going to drop things you no longer want to do I get it but keep longer want to do I get it but keep longer want to do I get it but keep adding new new experiences and skills adding new new experiences and skills adding new new experiences and skills and if you're married do them with your and if you're married do them with your and if you're married do them with your spouse as much as you can so you don't spouse as much as you can so you don't spouse as much as you can so you don't stagnate grow bored or grow old all stagnate grow bored or grow old all stagnate grow bored or grow old all right final thing retirement consumption right final thing retirement consumption right final thing retirement consumption is a trap but contributing isn't I've is a trap but contributing isn't I've is a trap but contributing isn't I've been thinking a lot about retirement so been thinking a lot about retirement so been thinking a lot about retirement so retirement is like this really retirement is like this really retirement is like this really interesting concept A lot of my friends interesting concept A lot of my friends interesting concept A lot of my friends are talking about it as I move into my are talking about it as I move into my are talking about it as I move into my 60s but you know it's a relatively new 60s but you know it's a relatively new 60s but you know it's a relatively new construct throughout most of history construct throughout most of history construct throughout most of history people worked until they died because people worked until they died because people worked until they died because well number one they had to and well number one they had to and well number one they had to and generally they died younger so I'm very generally they died younger so I'm very generally they died younger so I'm very fortunate I love what I get to do I love fortunate I love what I get to do I love fortunate I love what I get to do I love building into leaders uh We've joked building into leaders uh We've joked building into leaders uh We've joked with friends that we're taking our with friends that we're taking our with friends that we're taking our retirement as we go uh I've taken July

retirement as we go uh I've taken July retirement as we go uh I've taken July off for the last decade my wife and I off for the last decade my wife and I off for the last decade my wife and I tackle and a couple of extra days on you tackle and a couple of extra days on you tackle and a couple of extra days on you know leadership trips I do and six weeks know leadership trips I do and six weeks know leadership trips I do and six weeks a year is plenty of retirement for me I a year is plenty of retirement for me I a year is plenty of retirement for me I don't need more at this point but don't need more at this point but don't need more at this point but heading into a new decade I've got no heading into a new decade I've got no heading into a new decade I've got no plans to step back but instead of seeing plans to step back but instead of seeing plans to step back but instead of seeing this decade as a chance to consume I'm this decade as a chance to consume I'm this decade as a chance to consume I'm viewing the decades ahead as a chance to viewing the decades ahead as a chance to viewing the decades ahead as a chance to contribute to mostly give not mostly contribute to mostly give not mostly contribute to mostly give not mostly take to make a difference instead of take to make a difference instead of take to make a difference instead of taking endless Victory laps because if taking endless Victory laps because if taking endless Victory laps because if you think about retirement the way it's you think about retirement the way it's you think about retirement the way it's defined at least by the advertising defined at least by the advertising defined at least by the advertising industry and the way a lot of people do industry and the way a lot of people do industry and the way a lot of people do it it's just like take your Victory lap it it's just like take your Victory lap it it's just like take your Victory lap go enjoy it you know there may be a day go enjoy it you know there may be a day go enjoy it you know there may be a day where my speaking invites stop and time where my speaking invites stop and time where my speaking invites stop and time passes you know and suddenly I don't passes you know and suddenly I don't passes you know and suddenly I don't have market value anymore but market have market value anymore but market have market value anymore but market value isn't the same as value you so value isn't the same as value you so value isn't the same as value you so let's say I can't do podcasting or let's say I can't do podcasting or let's say I can't do podcasting or nobody subscribes to my YouTube channel nobody subscribes to my YouTube channel nobody subscribes to my YouTube channel or uh you know I don't get invited to or uh you know I don't get invited to or uh you know I don't get invited to speak at conferences around the world speak at conferences around the world speak at conferences around the world anymore well at 80 or 85 I might meet anymore well at 80 or 85 I might meet anymore well at 80 or 85 I might meet with local leaders or pastors for coffee with local leaders or pastors for coffee with local leaders or pastors for coffee or gather some young leaders at my house or gather some young leaders at my house or gather some young leaders at my house or mow my neighbor's lawn or brush snow or mow my neighbor's lawn or brush snow or mow my neighbor's lawn or brush snow off a stranger's car in a terminal off a stranger's car in a terminal off a stranger's car in a terminal parking lot what's the deal there well parking lot what's the deal there well parking lot what's the deal there well the longer I've thought about it the the longer I've thought about it the the longer I've thought about it the more I think retirement is a trap more I think retirement is a trap more I think retirement is a trap because the meaning is found in because the meaning is found in because the meaning is found in contributing not in consuming so I want contributing not in consuming so I want contributing not in consuming so I want to contribute I don't want to consume to contribute I don't want to consume to contribute I don't want to consume endlessly so instead of Imagining the endlessly so instead of Imagining the endlessly so instead of Imagining the Decades of your retirement as just Decades of your retirement as just Decades of your retirement as just endless consumption ask yourself what endless consumption ask yourself what endless consumption ask yourself what can I do to contribute what can I do to

can I do to contribute what can I do to can I do to contribute what can I do to give not just take how can I make a give not just take how can I make a give not just take how can I make a difference not just take more Victory difference not just take more Victory difference not just take more Victory laps I look at it this way you can only laps I look at it this way you can only laps I look at it this way you can only lie on a beach for so long there's lie on a beach for so long there's lie on a beach for so long there's nothing wrong with lying on a beach but nothing wrong with lying on a beach but nothing wrong with lying on a beach but man do it for a couple of weeks then how man do it for a couple of weeks then how man do it for a couple of weeks then how are we going to get back how are we are we going to get back how are we are we going to get back how are we going to give me meaning is found in the going to give me meaning is found in the going to give me meaning is found in the giving far more than meaning is found in giving far more than meaning is found in giving far more than meaning is found in the getting so whatever decade you the getting so whatever decade you the getting so whatever decade you happen to be in everything compounds happen to be in everything compounds happen to be in everything compounds okay so the question becomes what okay so the question becomes what okay so the question becomes what changes do you need to make now to have changes do you need to make now to have changes do you need to make now to have a better and more fulfilling future a better and more fulfilling future a better and more fulfilling future decades from now let me know in the decades from now let me know in the decades from now let me know in the comments